Band to sleeve revision

Hi Everyone,

I have been researching the sleeve surgery after realizing too late that lapband wasn't going to work for me. I had the lapband placed in early 2007.  I had a slippage and a replacement with a new band, in 2009 that gives me no food restriction at all.   I have gained back about 40 lbs since the slip.

Anyway, I am in the process of getting insurance to approve a revision.  Before I go through this, I was wondering a few things:

1) Has anyone experienced a problem where they could eat anything one day and nothing the other due to restriction? Or at night only?

2) For the ladies, any difference in ability to eat during PMS?

For revisoners:

3)What is the difference in feeling "full" having the sleeve instead of the band?

4) Was recovery different from that of the lapband?

Thanks so much in advance for any replies.

28 months post-VSG (revision from the band)

Answers are based on my own personal experience and will not be shared by other revision patients.

1) Has anyone experienced a problem where they could eat anything one day and nothing the other due to restriction? Or at night only?  No, I have permanent/constant restriction. The only difference is in the consistency of foods that I choose to eat. I eat sliders, I can eat more. I eat dense protein foods, I can eat less.

2) For the ladies, any difference in ability to eat during PMS? No, and I do not have hoards of head hunger, nor do I eat emotionally or compulsively.

For revisoners:

3)What is the difference in feeling "full" having the sleeve instead of the band?  This is one thing that's pretty difficult to explain because the point of the sleeve is NOT eat until full. Eating until full contribute to getting fat. The point is to eat a measured portion that 1) will keep you in your calorie/protein/carb guideline 2) Keep you from overfilling your sleeve and puking So, the difference is that food doesn't get stuck, one last bite syndrome happens if a sleeve patient insists on overeating. I rarely EVER eat until full. I know my portion size, I stick to it and am satisfied. Huge different between full and satisfied. That's part of the behavioral and habitual modification that is essentially key to being a successful WLS patient in general. But, with the sleeve, you don't have a stoma or pouch, so the food goes in, and you have a max capacity.  

4) Was recovery different from that of the lapband? I had complications due to the damage the band did to my stomach. My recovery was vastly different because of the complications, including a leak. Therefore my recovery is not the normal. The recommended post-op diet is more stringest after the sleeve and logically, it should be since there is a healing staple line.

Also, many people seem to struggle for the first 2-4 weeks with getting in fluids and protein so that is NOT a complication specific to revisioners, in my opinion. That's the "nature of the beast" when amputating 85% of a major organ. Pain wise for recovery- the incision where my port was removed was the most painful, and to this very day if I hit that scar just right, I have a sharp, shooting pain that lasts a few seconds then it's gone. Same gas pains happen from the CO2 gas they use to expand your abdomen.

Best wishes with your revision. It's the best decision I ever made!

Thanks for yur response.  I didn't mean to imply emotional eating during PMS.  Actually, i had such a tightness with my band during PMS, that sometimes I couldnt even drink a protein shake.  Maybe water or broth if I was lucky.  Then as soon as my period started it would loosen.  Makes no sense.

I was worried about the port because that is sensitive as it is.  Plus it is the largest incision so I am not looking forward to that pain, but thanks for the heads up.

I am hoping the feeling of  eating is just normal but resticted as in volume. With the lapband it always felt wrong. Coming back up, getting stuck, whatever! No matter what I was eating.  It could have been applesauce or yogurt! Just an all around awful feeling.  Never had energy because I couldn't eat good foods. Love salad...couldnt eat it. Love chicken...couldnt eat it. I just want to be able to have a nice  restriction ( as lapband advertised), with out throwing up all day every day.

I am so scared of having a leak.  Did your experience require resurgery? I have young children at home and a 13 month old that I am still nursing.(Wont have surgery until he is weaned) I dont want to be away for longer than an overnight if possible.

Anyone else have a leak story to share? How about drains? Does everyone have them and for how long? How long was everyone's hospital stay? Thanks

You'll do well ! ! ! Don't fret about eating, I literally eat anything and everything without any issue. The only 2 things that remotely bother me are scrambled eggs and pork chops. For whatever reason, both of those foods sit very heavy in my stomach. I can eat them, but not much of them compared to say poached or deviled/hard-boiled eggs and steak/chicken.

As for my leak, yes it required surgery to repair. The damage from the band was so extensive that my stomach was sewn back together from 2 separate pieces. Getting a complete unfill, or having it done in 2 procedures are pre-cautionary measures that help decrease risks. Unfortunately, my port was completely inaccessible. And, once he got in there, he really had no other option but to attempt the sleeve. I had absolutely refused the RNY. So, it was take and my band and give me the sleeve, or take out the band and leave me fat. I only had drains placed after the leak repair. My recovery was not typical and therefore my hospital stay, and recovery can not be compared. I was in the hospital 10-12 days, I can't remember the exact days.

I would endure every single obstacle, complication, hurdle in my recovery to have the life I have been living since my recovery, making goal and maintenance.

Wow! That really is something to go through, 10-12 days in the hospital.  However the fact that you would still endure it to have the life you live now speaks volumes! I am hoping to be as happy with the sleeve as you are.  This lap band is seriously flawed and needs to be removed from the market in my opinion.

Thanks again for your response. Congratulations to you for your amazing weight loss and also for your new little one arriving very soon!